Coroner: Man found in middle of Indy road died of blunt force trauma; manner of death unknown

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.-- After an autopsy, officials are still unable to determine if a man found dead on the near west side was the victim of a hit-and-run or a homicide.

Marion County Coroner Alfarena Ballew confirmed Monday that Patrick Brewer, 48, died of multiple blunt force traumatic injuries. Police were hoping the autopsy results would help them decide if this is a homicide or traffic-related case.

“Our homicide investigators and traffic investigators, who were both on scene, could not make could not make a definitive determination at that time to know which way the investigation would go," said IMPD Sgt. Kendale Adams.

But Monday's autopsy did not determine the manner in which Brewer received his injuries. So for now, homicide and traffic detectives will work the case simultaneously.

“Each one of those detectives has a special skill set that allows them to investigation that particular crime," said Adams.

“Our traffic investigators know how to do a multitude of things to include measurements, to include wind factor. A number of things that our homicide investigators are not trained to do," Adams said.

“Our homicide detectives are some of the best in the country, and they know the nuances of how to track down suspects. How to really connect the dots," Adams added.

Brewer spent all night with family on Friday. He planned to go to the second day of his family reunion, but never made it. Early Saturday morning, Brewer’s body was found in the middle of the 1400 block of Exeter Avenue.

The autopsy was able to conclude Brewer's injuries were not just to his head. If that was the case, Ballew says that would have been stated specifically.